Experienced investors know that if they want to build something that requires a zoning variance, they ought to put the property under contract with a contingency pending variance approval, then close only if approved.

Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the investors do indeed wish to build two-acre residential homes for a very strong Beacon market.

344 Main St. has woken people up. The reason it looks so different from the rest of Main Street is because when the developer applied for a variance, no one objected.

We live under not rumor but rule of law, including specifically our zoning laws. The city is awake enough now for plenty of people to show up and object to anything else that is not in keeping with our wonderful community.

Goshen across the river recently had some proposals not in keeping with the character of the town, and nothing unusual was approved. Those who proposed moved on.

There are those who believe these rumors are fueled primarily by social media, but it seems everyone in person talks of rumor as fact as well. Partly the rumors are believed because of what happened in other Hudson Valley towns, partly it may be because we are losing trust in our system; i.e. if someone has enough money for the right lawyers, they can overturn things like zoning laws.

Perhaps a demonstration of the free press about the subject is in order.